By REYNALD MAGALLON
Juami Tiongson and Stephen Holt formed a deadly one-two punch to take Terrafirma home with a 104-96 victory over NorthPort to catch the last bus to the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, May 8.
The Dyip dynamic duo scored a pair of and-1 plays to put the game away and steer the franchise to its very first playoff appearance in the all-Filipino conference while also ending a record of futility that saw them miss 16 straight conferences.
Tiongson erupted for 30 points, none bigger than the tough pull-up jumper and a free throw to give Terrafirma a 101-96 with 1:33 left in the clock.
Holt added an all-around effort of 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds including his own version of crucial and-1 play off a tough drive to the basket to put the dagger to the hearts of the Batang Pier.
The two’s heroics, however, wouldn’t happen if not for Javi Gomez de Liano who poured 10 straight points in the final frame to turn the tides to the Dyip favor, 92-88, after trailing by four 82-86.
He finished with 21 points and seven rebounds while Isaac Go had 13 points and eight rebounds.
With the win, the Dyip gave head coach Johnedel Cardel his very first playoff appearance since taking over the franchise in 2018. They also earned the chance to challenge top seed and twice-to-beat San Miguel in the quarterfinals.
Rookie Zav Lucero paced the Batang Pier with 17 points and eight rebounds while fellow freshman Cade Flores had 16.
Joshua Munzon added 15 while NorthPort main man Arvin Tolentino struggled in the sudden death with only 13 points to show and missed all of his four attempts from deep.
He was also held scoreless in the final frame although his teammates stepped up and anchored a desperate 8-3 rally to keep the Batang Pier within striking distance, 98-96. That, however, only set up the table to the poetic ending to Terrafirma’s playoff drought as Tiongson and Holt delivered the clutch baskets.
